Montreal Impact sporting director Nick De Santis says it is not a priority of the MLS expansion franchise to sign a big-name player.

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich star midfielder Michael Ballack, currently with Bayer Leverkusen, is believed to be a strong target for the Impact but De Santis says that is not necessarily the case.

"There's no pressure on us to get a designated player," De Santis told the Montreal Gazette.

"If we do, it would be for the July transfer window and not this one because the focus for us right now is building the team to start the season.

"After that we'll see what we need for this team as a DP. We are in discussions with different players, looking at what options we might have."

However, he did admit that the former Germany captain was a player of high interest for the club although no offer has yet been made.

"MLS asked if we had an interest and, of course, we do," De Santis added. "But I think there are other teams in MLS that would probably have an interest in him as well.

"No formal pitch has been made for him. Not yet."

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